The reason: The club found out that dwarf-bowling has been illegal in bars in New York state since 1990.

Whoops.

The Advance reported on the planned event, and its illegality, earlier today, but saloon manager Rich Makson said that the dwarf-bowling portion of the evening had been canceled a while ago.

"When we found out it wasn't legal, we canceled," he said, without mentioning exactly when that occurred.

When pressed about whether adverse publicity about the event - the Advance's story was picked up by United Press International and 1010 WINS Radio, among others - had led to the cancellation, Makson said, "We found out, so it was canceled."

When then asked if the Advance's article today, which said dwarf-bowling would take place at Big Nose Kate's this Saturday, was incorrect, Makson said, "I haven't read the article."

He added that Beetlejuice will still appear at the club on Saturday, sans bowling.

"Beetlejuice will just hang out," Makson said. "Maybe take some pictures with customers."

Beetlejuice co-manager Bobby Rooney, who said he was inundated by media calls about the controversy today, promised that Staten Islanders would see a "circus" if they came to Beetlejuice's show on Saturday.

"There's a lot of suspense with this event," he told the Advance. "Come check us out."

He also disputed the fact that dwarf-bowling is illegal, saying that the state law covers only its notorious sister "sport," dwarf-tossing.

But the statute makes no distinction, stating that no bar "shall permit any contest or promotion which endangers the health, safety, and welfare of any person with dwarfism."

Bars that break the law face a $10,000 fine and revocation of their liquor license.